Machine for sewing and trimming fabrics



(Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. J-A. BIGELOW. a MACHINE FOR SEWING VAND TRIMMING FABRIGS.

No. 244,533. Patented July 19,1881.

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-trimming device.

UNITEDY STATESg PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN BIGELow, on PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

' MACHINE FOR SEWING AND TRIMMING FABRICS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 244,533, dated July 19, 1881.

. Application ined August 19,1880. (Mode-.1.)

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN BIGELow,'a citizen ofthe United States, residing'at Philadelphia, in the county of Fhiladelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in'Zigzag or 1rregular Stitch Sewing-Machines with Trimming Devices; andI do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

In the accompanying drawings similar letters of reference indicate like parts.

Figure 1 shows a top view of the work-plate of a sewing-machine, with a supplemental work-plate and its actuating device 5 also a Fig. 2 shows, in section, one side of the trimming device, also the actuating device for the supplemental plate. Fig. 3 shows, in section, the supplemental plate, the feed, feed-block, and actuating device for the trimmer. Fig. 4 shows atop view of the feed-block, with the` groove in which the feed-dog slides 5 also the actuating pin of the trimmer. Fig. 5 shows top and sectional views of the feed-dog and its pivotal pin.

The object of the present invention is to produce a combination of mechanism swinging on a pivotal point adapted for a high rate of speed, and, amongother things, to make theV cut-hose patented in Reissue Letters Patent No. 9,113, dated March 9, 1880.

For the purpose of illustration, I have shown my invention applied to the mechanism ofthe sewingmachine known as the Willcox & Gibbs.77 l

On the regular plate B of the machine I place a supplemental plate A, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, which is pivoted on B at T.` The plate A, at the point where, in sewin g, the needle passes through it, is fitted with a tongue, A', arranged to project behind the needle, yet with the necessary clearance, so that the needle can make its stitch alternatelyon one and the other side of it, .and the stitches thus made can, as the work-is fed along, be freed from the same without dragging. Beneath this tongueis the regular throat of the machine, to prevent the loop from being drawn out of line with the looping device.

' The knife-plate J, supporting a shear-trinimer, is adjustably attached to the plate A,'as shown in Fig. 1, so that the cutting-point S of the shears shall be on a line just behind the end of the tongue A', and will follow the movements of the plate at that point. The opposite end of the shears Nis' near or over the pivotal point T, and has little or no vibralfion. This allows iheupper shear-blade to be actuated the same as though it were stationary-that is, without lateral movement-and `by the device especially set forth in my other application of even date herewith, having serial number 15,651viz., the lever O pivoted at O', and actuated at l) by the pin in the feedblock R.

Since the feed-dog R4 engages with and so isF obliged to conform to the vibrations of the plate A, a change of construction in the feed mechanism is required-viz., the feed-dog R4 is mounted on a slide, R2, and attached to the same by a pin, R3, which allows it to swing a little if required. The slide R2 is fitted in a groove, R', cut at right angles to the line of feed in the feed-block R. By this arrangement the feed-dog R4 can fit closely in the plaie A, and yet follow it in the vibrations necessary to make the zigzag stitch.- vWhere the lateral vibration is very slight the pivotal pin R3 isnot essential.

On the main shaft of the machine is asmall gear, W, which meshes into a gear, H, double its size-that is, having two teeth to one of the other-carrying a cam. In this cam alever, pivoted to the frame of the machine at G3, engages by means of the pin G. Alink is connected to this lever at G', and at G2 to the .under side of the plate A.

In operation the cam attached to the gear H vibrates, through the pin G, the lever pivoted at G3. This, by means of the link which connects with it at G and with the plate at G2, conveys its motionV to the said plate A, and causes the tongue A on said plate to move alternately to the right and left of the point of perforation of the needle, and since the feed conforms to the lateral movements of the plate A the work is moved in an irregular course,

causing the stitching to be zigzag. The cutting-point S of the shears, which are closed when the needle is in the work and open when the feed takes place, trims the edge at any required distance from the sewing, thus making the seam mentioned in the cut-hose patent referred to in the beginning of this specification.

The foregoing specilication and accompanying drawings show the vibrating tongue and a trimming device as applied to a lVillcox & Gibbs sewing-machine; but by slight modifications of the mechanism, essentially the same, however, in principle, they can equally well be applied to any of the sewing-machines nowin use, such as the Singer, Wheeler & Wilson, Grover & Baker, and others having a stitchforming mechanism, which consists of a needle, feed, presser foot, work plate, needlethroat, and looper or shuttle.

Iam aware that a vibratin g plate and tongue above the presser-foot have been used; but such will not produce the zigzag stitch.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In combination with the stitch-forming mechanism of a sewing-machine, a swinging plate arranged under the presser-foot and pivoted behind the needle and provided with a tongue, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

2. In combination with the stitch-forming mechanism of a sewingmachine, the tongue A', suitably attached to a tongue-plate, A, and feed-dog R4 arranged to swing in au arc across the line of feed, substantially as described.

3. In combination with the stitch-forming mechanism of a sewin g-machine, a tongue, A', suitably attached to a tongue-plate, A, feeddog R4, and a shear-trimmer attached to and moving with a swinging work-plate pivoted behind the sewing mechanism, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature in presenceof two witnesses.

JOHN BIGELOW.

Witnesses:

L. DEANE, G. W. BALLocH. 

